BCB moves ICC over T20 World Cup venue shift as BCCI freezes India-Bangladesh 2026 tour after Mustafizur Rahman controversy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to relieve their player Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract. According to a report, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to approach the ICC to request a change of venue for its matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh will compete against West Indies on February 7, 2026, against Italy on February 9 and against England on February 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and against Nepal on February 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

With the BCCI not allowing Mustafizur to play in India and some people raising concerns over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, the BCB has expressed concern over the safety of its players in India and is therefore looking for alternative venues.

A senior BCB official told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that they will leave the matter to the ICC after the BCCI’s decision as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

Speaking to www.telecomasia.net, the BCB official said, “I cannot make any comment on Mustafizur’s release because it is their internal matter, but as far as participating in the World Cup is concerned, it is an ICC event and they will take the final decision after taking everything into consideration.”

The official stated that the BCB plans to take up the T20 World Cup issue with the ICC as soon as possible, stressing that after India refused to visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan also preferred not to play in India.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS that they had requested KKR to release Mustafizur from his IPL contract “in view of the turmoil that has arisen in that country”.

“BCCI has instructed KKR to exclude Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. BCCI will allow them to select any substitute player of their choice,” Saikia said.

Meanwhile, cricket relations between India and Bangladesh are becoming increasingly fragile as the BCCI has reportedly suspended the planned 2026 tour following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad.

According to The Indian Express, BCCI is preparing to convey the situation to the Indian government to get official approval for the tour.

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